Created on Friday, 15 November 2013
Written by THE BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER STAFF

Philip Danforth Snyder, 90, of Indiatlantic, Fla., and Springfield, died peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, in Florida, with his wife, Dorothy, and children at his bedisde.

Born in West Liberty on Feb. 26, 1923, to Charles and Elizabeth Snyder, Philip was the youngest and tallest of seven children. His six siblings included Joseph, Robert, Thomas, Charlotte, Harry and Richard.

Philip graduated from West Liberty High School in 1941. He graduated from The Ohio State University School of Architecture in 1950, where he was a distinguished member of Alpha Rho Chi, an architectural honors fraternity.

During World War II, Phillip proudly served in the United States Army as a gunnery sergeant from 1943-1946. Throughout his life, he upheld the ideals of America’s “greatest generation.”

Philip was married to Patricia Maxwell Snyder from 1947 until her untimely death in 1966. They had two children, Kendrick and Melinda. In 1970, he married Dorothy, who had three young children, Michael, Nancy and Marcia. In a “Brady Bunch” scenario, Philip and Dorothy combined families and happily raised their children together. Aside from family, Philip devoted himself to a distinguished 50-year architectural career that spanned two centuries. Regarded as a visionary and renowned for his remarkable contribution to contemporary residential design, Philip also applied his creative genius to the design of schools, universities, churches and fire stations. Through his significant work, Philip left a lasting legacy in Springfield and throughout the Midwest, including the architectural design and development of Adriel School of West Liberty.

Philip will be remembered as a scholar and gentleman, and cherished as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Though he will be dearly missed, his love of architecture, art and life will live in the hearts of all who knew him ... as will his smile.

Phillip is survived by his wife, Dorothy Locke Snyder, of Indiatlantic, Fla., and his children, Michael John Locke of Springfield, Nancy Elizabeth Sims and Marcia Ann Locke, both of Upland, Calif., Kendrick Maxwell Snyder (Anne) of Westport, Mass., and Melinda Snyder Blake (Benson) of Northfield, Ill. He is also survived by eight grandchildren, Catherine Brayton Snyder of Nashville, Tenn., Lucille White Snyder of Boston, Paige Lindy Blake of Brooklyn, N.Y., Benson Blake Jr. and Logan Patricia Blake, both of New York City, Ivy Elizabeth Sims of Studio City, Calif., Dr. Landon Locke (Jen) of Pittsburgh and Maxi Chlaine Locke of Springfield. Sadly, a ninth grandchild, Philip Danforth Snyder II, preceded Philip in death in November 2004.

The Rev. Ray Stewart officiates a memorial service at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Limestone St., Springfield, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 p.m. in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty, and a reception at Jennings Farley Funeral Home, 5591 S. U.S. Route 68, West Liberty.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, Springfield; Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indiatlantic, FL; The Wounded Warrior Fund; and the Army Rangers Lead the Way Fund.